_A.M. 3290. B.C. 714._ We have here, under a mystical name, a second representation of the overthrow of Babylon by the Medes and Persians, Isaiah 21:1; Isaiah 21:2. The prophet, to show the dreadfulness of the calamity, represents himself as being seized with astonishment and horror at the prospect... [ Continue Reading ]
_The burden of the desert of the sea_ That is, of Babylon, as is evident from Isaiah 21:9. Some think it is so called prophetically, because, although it was at present a populous city, it was shortly to be made desolate, and turned into a marsh, and pools of water. But מדבר ים may be properly rende... [ Continue Reading ]
_A grievous vision is declared unto me_ A vision or prophecy, predicting dreadful calamities about to fall upon Babylon. _The treacherous dealer_, &c. In these words the prophet either describes the sin of the Chaldeans, for which God would send the following judgment upon them, namely, they persist... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore my loins_, &c. “We have here a symbolical description of the greatness of the Babylonish calamity; the prophet exhibiting in himself, as in a figure, an emblem of the extreme distress, consternation, and horror, which should ensue on this occasion.” See Isaiah 15:5; Isaiah 16:8; Luke 21:2... [ Continue Reading ]
_Prepare the table_ Furnish it with meats and drinks, as it follows. The prophet foretels what the Babylonians would be doing when their enemies were upon the point of entering their city: _Watch in the watch-tower_ To give us notice of any approaching danger, that we may more securely indulge ourse... [ Continue Reading ]
_For thus hath the Lord said unto me_ I speak only what God hath caused me to see and hear in a vision, the particulars whereof are related in the following verses. “The Holy Spirit, to make Isaiah, and, by him, the church, most certain of this memorable event, confirms the preceding revelation by a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he saw a chariot with two riders_, &c. “This passage,” says Bishop Lowth, “is extremely obscure from the ambiguity of the term רכב,” (here rendered chariot,) “which is used three times; and which signifies a chariot, or any other vehicle, or the rider in it; or a rider on a horse, or any other... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he cried, A lion_ “The present reading, אריה, _a lion_, is so unintelligible,” says Bishop Lowth, “and the mistake so obvious, that I make no doubt that the true reading is הראה,” (_he that saw_, or _looked out,_) “as the Syriac translator manifestly found it in his copy, who renders it by רוקא... [ Continue Reading ]
_O my thrashing_, &c. In these words, which form the conclusion of the prophecy, “the application, the end, and design of it, are admirably given in a short expressive address to the Jews, partly in the person of God, partly in that of the prophet.” The first words of the verse, _O my thrashing, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_The burden of Dumah_ Or Idumea, as appears by the mention of mount _Seir_, which follows. This prophecy, “from the uncertainty of the occasion on which it was uttered, and from the brevity of the expression,” is acknowledged to be extremely obscure. The general opinion of interpreters seems to be,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The burden of Arabia_ “While God revealed to his prophet the fate of foreign nations, among others he declares that of those Arabians who inhabited the western part of Arabia Deserta, or Petrea,” and bordered upon the Idumeans last mentioned. They are here termed _the companies of Dedanim_, being t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The inhabitants of the land of Tema_ Another part of Arabia, (of which see Job 6:19; Jeremiah 25:23,) namely, the posterity of Tema, Ishmael's son; _brought water to him that was thirsty_ To the Dedanites, who are here represented as being reduced to great straits, being forced to flee from the ene... [ Continue Reading ]
_For thus hath the Lord said_ Hitherto the prophet had spoken figuratively: now he ceases to do so; _within a year_ From the time of the delivery of this prophecy, _according to the years of a hireling_ Namely, an exact year: for hirelings diligently observe and wait for the end of the year, when th... [ Continue Reading ]